A good read on aquarium controllers and the cloud

[Terence]

Just thought you all might want to take a look at this blog post as it provides some interesting insight on the cloud and aquarium controllers. At the bottom I provided some additional clarification in regards to the Apex and the Apex Fusion cloud service.

https://www.reefs.com/2016/05/11/cloud-connected-aquarium-tech-disposable/

 

[rayn]

I read this earlier and it is a good read!

 

[csb123]

Good article! It gives me something more to think about as I decide which controller to purchase.

 

[Harry_Y]

Good Article, and one of the reasons I shy away from those types of items.

 

[roosterchef]

I don't give 2 rat patoots about fishbit but that blog post reads a lot like a classic alarmist ambush "article" written by a competitor's marketing dept. Read a lot of these in my days in high tech (written a few too). It's just how the game is played. But I always try to figure out if the author has an agenda. I could be wrong, might be a straight up opinion piece.

 

[ImGood]

I have been dissapointed by anything apex or Neptune related .i would recommend anyone considering one of these to "Run, Runaway from it. And I mean run!"

 

[eg8r210]

First off, the piece definitely has an agenda other than just informing non-tech savvy reefers. Secondly, for the same reason I am not currently interested in a cloud driven controller I would also avoid the Neptune DOS and Neptune WAV (possibly COR if they choose a proprietary plug). Everyone I know with an Apex has had the darn thing die on them. Many have had it die more than once. When it craps out so does your powerhead and dosers.

At some point every reefer needs to evaluate how much risk they are willing to take on. If no one took any risk we would be stuck with Apex with very little tech advances and that doesn't seem like a very exciting reefing world either. Cloud based control is a fantastic idea. As with all new tech, it takes a while to iron out all the wrinkles.

 

[zoomonster]

That article is pretty much on the money and sums up reasons (regardless of any agenda) why I would not buy anything that is cloud only i.e. becomes a brick if the cloud goes away. I have been in software/hardware engineering for about 32 years now and I've seen it all with companies coming and going and learned the lessons. Cloud is a nice to have but to me it should always be a secondary function. Apex is a pretty good example where I have full function locally via display or the local apex browser if fusion on the cloud were to go away. Even with no network or computer I still have a functioning system and for network devices like vortechs the wxm still provides that wireless connectivity. And Terence I hope Neptune has taken heed in the new Apex and future plans. The display may no longer be included but at least there still is one. Obviously there is Fusion which is cloud based but it sort of raises red flags when there seems to be a trend toward pushing functionality and people to using there own devices like tablets or smart phones. I don't know all the intricacies of networking in the new product but it would would be nice to know nothing (including new phone apps) is totally cloud dependent other than Fusion. The one thing that comes to mind though is software updates which are now apparently a one button action from Fusion. It makes me wonder if software updates are still possible without Fusion for the new product(s).

I've never trusted cloud for many things though. Even with what was supposed an ultra secure apple cloud a lot of Hollywood types had personal **** and/or **** videos and images stolen. For all the people with these cloud based security/surveillance cameras it should be a wake up call that there are apps that allow people to browse many of these systems and stop in for a peek (just imagine what the gov can gain access too). Just two of many examples to give pause.

PS Seriously R2R filtering those two non-profane words is a bit much.

 

[ImGood]

This system is unreliable, overrated,overpriced,the firmware is corrupt & needs upgrades constantly, unreliable. The customer support is nonexistent Oh and did I mention that it is unreliable. I wouldn't touché it with someone else's ten foot pole run away from it